Miguel A. Herguedas
Updated Friday, March 22, 2024-07:44
Lotus 72 A work of art marked by tragedy
World Cup 2024 Verstappen, leader
Albert Park, an old school circuit, did not let up during the first two free sessions of the Australian GP.
Charles Leclerc
set the best time (1:17.277) on Friday at 245.8 km/h, with 38 hundredths over
Max Verstappen
and 43 over
Carlos Sainz
, back after his appendicitis. Early in the morning,
Lando Norris
had topped the table with his McLaren (1:18.564), while
Fernando Alonso
suffered a spectacular off-track at turn 10. Evidence that this urban layout, more vertiginous every year, represents a permanent examination for the pilots.
Verstappen, for example, had to return to the garage without the balance of the long runs with the medium tire. A note of uncertainty in Red Bull, which still does not know the real performance of the tires or the race strategy, between one and two stops. Pirelli has brought the three softest compounds in its catalog to Melbourne, so the only certainty is that the red ones seem absolutely ruled out.
Alonso started Friday with something unusual: a mistake on the junction of 9 and 10. After the excursion through the gravel in a high-speed area, the Asturian knew how, at least, to avoid the walls with astonishing skill. "We are changing Fernando's floor," they confirmed from the Aston Martin garage, hoping to take just a quarter of an hour. The Spaniard, uncomfortable with the rear suspension settings, decided to return to the previous configuration.
At that high speed point,
George Russell
and
Valtteri Bottas
also suffered scares. Special mention for the Finn, able to return to the asphalt after a shocking 360º turn.
Although shocking, the red flag caused by
Alex Albon
. The Briton lost control when he stepped on the curb at turn 8. Fortunately, he was able to reach the medical center on his own and without major physical setbacks, while the stewards removed the multiple damage caused. The damage to the Williams' rear suspension not only prevented him from returning to the track in the second session, but also severely compromised his options for the rest of the weekend.